Scale 1:48th
Reviewer: Dave Coward
Editor’s note – do keep an eye out for the full IPR from Dave in the near future!
Initial assessment
Accuracy
The kit is boxed as an F-111A and as such all the major parts required for this variant are included. There are some issues with the accuracy of the kit with regards to the size of the tail, the wheel dimensions, the canopy shape and the engine intakes, plus some other minor points. These issues have been highlighted by those who know the aircraft intimately but from the general modellers perspective I personally think they are minor and if you want a kit that makes up into a reasonably accurate representation of a ‘Vark’ then this is a great kit.
The kit also has several un-used parts and from closer inspection these appear to be designed for a later mark such as an F-111F. As such I think an ‘F’ variant could be made from the box but some after market decals would be required.
This kit has a good selection of weaponry and ECM pods included but one odd inclusion is that of a set of JDAMs which were never operational employed on the F-111. Also included is a Pave Tack targeting pod and a Data link pod, both of which point to a later release of an F-111F.
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Fit
Initial fit of the parts appears very good with all major assemblies fitting together with little or no gaps present.
Quality
The quality of the moulding is very good with no flash present. Also all ejector pin marks appear to be on areas that will be hidden during construction. Panel lines are well defined but not overdone and all the sprue attachment points are well though out and not so large as to cause damage to the parts when they are removed. Each sprue is individually sealed in a plastic bag for protection and the major fuselage parts are further protected by a card box. Also contained in this box are the clear parts, which are well moulded and very clear, along with a set of rubber tyres that are once again very well produced. Overall the quality of the kit on first inspection is very good.
Instructions
The instructions consist of two sheets of paper that detail a logical build sequence in a clear manner through a series of black and white drawings. Also on these sheets is a full break down of all the sprues and a list of those items not required for this variant. Also included is a large double sided colour sheet that details the colour options for the kit along with all the decal placement.
Decals
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The decals provide for two versions, both F-111A. The first is a camouflage aircraft that was deployed to Vietnam during August 1973. This is the typical F-111 scheme of Light Green, Forest Green and Brown upper surface with the lower surface being black. The second is a far more unusual scheme for an F-111 in that it consists of light grey upper surfaces and white under surfaces (very similar to that applied to the ill fated US Navy F-111B). This scheme was only used in the mainland USA and only for a short period during the early stages of the F-111’s career.
The decals themselves appear to be of excellent quality with good colour and register. Also included is a second smaller decal sheet containing those required for the weapons and ECM pods.
Initial Conclusion
This kit is not cheap, it retails around the £45 mark, but it has been well thought out from a modelling point of view but one has got to question the accuracy issues with a kit of this price. Personally I am very impressed with it from my initial look and even with the accuracy issues I think it will make up into a nice representation of an F-111 at a price that is now the going rate for a new kit of this scale and size.
Dave.
